rabble blogs are the personal pages of some of Canada's most insightful progressive activists and commentators. All opinions belong to the writer; however, writers are expected to adhere to our guidelines. We welcome new bloggers -- contact us for details.

Brent Patterson

Brent Patterson is the Political Director at the Council of Canadians. He works with the Council's chairperson Maude Barlow, its campaigners, organizers and chapters across the country on trade, energy, water, and health care issues. The Council has political staff in Ottawa, Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Halifax, Delhi, Cape Town and Mexico City. You can follow Brent on Twitter @CBrentPatterson.

UPDATE: Chiefs of Ontario call on Harper to withdraw from Canada-China FIPA

“Canada must immediately withdraw its support for FIPA and so inform China. The only way forward is to establish a nation-to-nation dialogue with First Nations to determine if some form of Chinese commercial arrangement that respects First Nation rights is feasible.” - Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy

Council of Canadians trade campaigner Stuart Trew’s blog that highlights opposition to Canada-China FIPA from the Union of British Columbia Chiefs, the Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs can be read at http://canadians.org/blog/?p=17689. A letter from the St’at’imc Chiefs Council is at http://canadians.org/blog/?p=17729.